Patiently Waiting

"I think I've got a good idea who told that fuck about me and Shay, Proof. You remember the first guy Kim cheated on me with?" DeShaun moved the phone away from his mouth and asked the question to Bizarre who answered without thinking.

"Anthony Vandres."

"Damn, Shanea hooked up with that piece of shit? It is a small world." Proof muttered, returning to the phone quickly. "You think Kim had somethin' to do with this shit?" Not that he was surprised - Kim was always pullin' some crazy shit when it came to Marshall and Hailie. "Not a fuckin' doubt in my mind, Proof. Fucking bitch."

"I thought she was in rehab or jail or somethin'?"

"I don't know where the fuck she is but when Shanea finds out.."

The bedroom door closed quietly and Marshall spun around, "Fuck. I gotta go." He threw his cell phone on the bed and took off down the hallway - catching a glance of Shanea's hair as she went out the front door - standing face to face with none other then Kimberly Scott. Holy shit. He didn't even have a chance to protest before Shanea knocked the shit out of Kim - busting her hard in the face with her fist.

"You fucking bitch - why the fuck would you put my daughter in danger like that!" Shanea spat, throwing another left hand at Kim's face. Marshall stood in awe for a moment - realizing he had never seen Shanea that angry and it was almost amusing, watching Kim scrape around the pavement and lash out with her claws. He would never confess but it was kinda turning him on. "Shay! Damn.." He closed the front door so Hailie wouldn't come running out to see her mother getting her ass kicked and ran towards the commotion.

"Fucking cunt, I'm going to kill your ass!" Kim yelled, reaching for Shanea with no hope. Marshall grabbed Shanea around the waist and pulled her off of Kim, trying not to laugh as his little scrapper swung again - catching Kim hard across the chin. "Shay, baby - you gotta stop."

Shanea shoved Marshall away from her and moved towards Kim slowly, standing dangerously close - not backing down. "If you ever fucking pull some shit like that I'll rip your fucking head off." She growled, low in her throat - causing Kim's eyes to go wide in surprise.

"You need to stay away from Marshall! He's mine bitch! I had him first!"

"No you didn't you stupid bitch." Shanea moved forward to swing again, only to have her arm stopped mid air. "That's all right, Kim - one day." Marshall pulled Shanea back towards the house and told Kim to 'get the fuck out' without hesitating. He threatened her with a call to the police - assuring them that she had a lot to do with last nights activities.

"Marshall! I love you.." She cried, holding her head in pain. "Hailie! Hailie Jade, baby - mommy's here!"

~

Hailie ran through the house quickly only to be scooped up in Marshall's arms before she could get to the door. "Daddy let me go! Mommy's come home to play!" She assured, trying her best to wiggle out of her fathers hold. "Hailie, your mom is.."

"Mommy!"

Kim walked up to the door and smirked, wiping the blood from her lip. She glared at Shanea and then smiled at her daughter. "Hi, Hai baby. Mommy's come to take you out today - we're going to go to the beach."

"No you aren't, Kim." Marshall glared - a dangerous tone in his voice. "Yes, I am - MARSHALL. Does joint custody mean anything to you?" She snapped, holding her arms out as Hailie finally found her way out of Marshall's arms and ran to her mother. "The beach, mommy!? Can Madi come too, please? She's really nice and funny!"

The look on Kim's face was priceless. "No, Hailie." She assured, her 'happy' tone quickly dissolving. "It's just going to be me and you today."

"The beach, Daddy!" Hailie ran to Shanea and grabbed her hand. "You said mommy would come back!" She squealed, hugging her tightly before disappearing into her room to gather her 'beach supplies'. Kim stood to her feet and glared at Shanea, turning her attention to Marshall.

"If you hurt one fucking hair on her head - I'll let Shanea whip your ass all over Detroit." Marshall assured, venom dripping from his words. Kim believed him and she looked back at Shanea, wondering if she was capable. By the look on her face? She was.

~

"Hailie! God! Would you get your ass over here!?" Kim yelled, pointing to the spot beside her. Hailie was running into the tide and back out by herself - looking up at her mother quickly. "Yes, mommy." She assured, running towards Kim and the lifeguard she was talking to.

"Oh no - I'm not her mom. My twin Dawn.. sometimes she gets confused." Hailie looked at Kim in disbelief, not sure of what she was saying. She wasn't Dawn's daughter? Dawn was her aunt. The little girl sighed and looked at the water longingly - wincing as her mother grabbed her by the arm and dragged her towards the car.

"Where are we going?" She asked, crying out as Kim pulled on her arm. "We're leaving. I have to go get ready for a date."

"What? We just got here." Hailie whined, tugging her arm away from Kim. "We've been here for thirty minutes, Hailie! Don't back talk me and don't you dare start crying. Jesus Christ - haven't you grown out of that shit by now?"

Hailie whimpered but held her tears back. "Can we at least get some ice cream? It's just right over there.." She pointed to the small ice cream stand along the beach and watched her mother shake her head no without even considering. "No, Hailie! I have shit to do."

"Shanea gets me ice cream sometimes.." She murmured, wishing she hadn't said that as her mother jerked her forward and glared at her. "What did you say?!" Hailie looked away and frowned, "Nothing."

"That bitch Shanea is just trying to take mommy's place, Hailie. She's trying to keep me and your dad away from each other."

"That's not true!" Hailie yelled, taking her arm back once again. "Shanea loves me and she never yells at me and buys me ice cream even when daddy isn’t there!" The eight year old opened the car door and got inside, crossing her little arms in front of herself.

~

Shanea looked out the large bay window as Kim's car pulled into the drive way; Hailie jumped out of the car and barely stepped away before it sped away without even a toot of the horn. Once her mother was far from sight Hailie burst into tears and ran towards the house, meeting Shanea half way. She threw her arms around Shanea and sobbed, curling up in a feeble position on her lap.

"Hailie, sweetie - what happened?"

"Where's daddy!" It was a demand, not a question. "He's at the studio baby. I'm here - what's wrong?" Shanea wrapped her arms around Hailie and sighed; She knew better then to let Kim take her out but she had no say so in their lives. "I want daddy!"

"Okay, Hai. I'll go call him.."

~

Marshall stepped out of Hailie's bedroom and sighed. Shanea noticed his fists were clenched tightly at his sides - his eyes cold and body stiff. "I'm calling the social worker in the morning to explain all this shit Kim's filling her head with.." He muttered, moving across the room like a zombie. He sat down on the chair and buried his head in his hands. Kim was a class act.

Shanea sat down on the couch and remained silent. She didn't know if it was her place to ask what had happened - and deep down she thought this was all her fault. She knew better then to attack Kim like that. "I'm sorry, Marshall.." After a moment he looked up at her, confused.

"What for?"

"Fighting with Kim.. that was stupid of me.."

"No, Shay. Fuck I'm glad you put her in her place but the way she fuckin' treats Hailie - it's gotta stop. I gotta get full custody and then that bitch won't never see her again. Not unless she changes a whole fuckin' lot."

Shanea just nodded her head and looked away, still feeling guilty. To both of their surprise, Hailie walked out of her room and towards Shanea - hugging her tightly before she even spoke. "Hai, sweetheart? Are you okay?" Hailie nodded slightly and forced a smile. "I'm sorry, Shay. Mommy is really mean. I know the things she says aren't true.. I don't know why she don't love me.."

Marshall watched Shanea lift his daughter into the air and sit her on her lap. "I don't know why your mommy is the way she is, Hai but she does loves you. I promise you that." Hailie nodded her head, hugging her once again. "I wish you were my mommy.." She assured quietly, almost to quiet for Marshall to hear. "I can't be your real mom, Hai but you know what I can be?"

Hailie looked at her and shook her head no, blond tangles of hair swishing around her pretty face.

"I can be your friend."

Hailie giggled and resumed their hug; Shanea kissed her hair and looked up at Marshall - who was staring at them with a look she had never seen before. A look that was indescribable - possible grief and pride; she didn't know. Marshall pushed himself away from the chair and took Hailie in his arms, carrying her back into her bedroom as she said her goodnights.

After a moment he returned and instead of taking his seat on the chair he knelt down in front of Shanea, taking her hands in his own. "You are so good with my baby girl.." He whispered, more to himself then her. Shanea blushed a little and leaned forward, kissing him innocently.

"I want you to be my wife, Shay. I want you to marry me.." He whispered hoarsely, emotion so strong it almost made her cry. "What?"

Marshall stared up at her, placing a kiss on her hand as he waited for an answer. There was no ring, no fancy dinner - just a person that loved him and his daughter more then life itself and who would complete him like no other woman ever could. She stared down at him as if she was dreaming - trying to figure out what was going on. It felt like a joke - a trick, but her heartache in a way she'd never known.

"I don't know what to say." She finally croaked out - squeezing his hands tightly from nervousness. Marshall smiled and kissed the back of her hand again, letting his lips linger there for a second longer. "Just say yes, baby.."


~

Shanea tapped her pencil against the edge of the desk quickly - staring at her professor as he talked on and on about things she didn't give a damn about. This was her last year of college and she was doing it for herself and Madison; but right now all she wanted was a break so she could concentrate on the really important things in her life.

Marshall had asked her to marry him? He told her once that he would never get married after Kim - he'd never put himself or any other person through that kinda bullshit ever again and half of her didn't blame him. Marriage was a wicked and evil thing that tore best friends apart so they'd never be together ever again and a she was scared - but god she loved him.

The look in Marshall's eyes still haunted her - he was so broken when she explained that she needed time to think about his question and couldn't answer right away. Their relationship was everything but romance and sobs of joy and she felt bad for not jumping to her feet in a giddy show of affection - screaming yes at the top of her lungs. That just wasn’t her and he knew it.

Finally it was time for the class to let out and Shanea was the first to break through the exit - the harsh, deceiving Detroit sun reflecting off the show covered sidewalk blinding her as she made her way to her car. She covered her eyes from the sun and squinted to see who was waiting for her - a tall, skanky looking blond and three other faceless girls. Shit.

~

"Biiiiiiiiitch!"

Kim screamed as she slid across the icy parking lot on her ass, holding her ribs in pain from the swift kick that had been delivered just before the other three girls jumped on Shanea, ripping hair and throwing wild punches. If there was one thing Shay hated more then Kim it was an unfair fight.

She tried her best to fight off the psycho posse with no prevail - crying out as all three of them nearly beat her to death right in front of the small community college. After it was said and done the girls jumped into Kim's car and sped off with a laugh - thinking they had really done something. Shanea lay lifeless on the cold ground - staring up at the sky, her breath strangled in her lungs. She barely noticed the few students run to her aid - holding her limp body up to inspect her wounds.

"She's going to need an ambulance!"

Her eyes closed slowly and she winced in pain, "I'm going to kill that fucking bitch.." That was her last thought before her world went black.